Glenn High teacher charged with indecent liberties with student

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Police say a Glenn High School teacher has been arrested after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

According to police, 24-year-old Joseph Michael Hester of Winston-Salem is charged with indecent liberties with a student, statutory sex offense and indecent liberties with a child.

Police say they were contacted Wednesday after administrators at the school learned of the allegations. The suspect was arrested early Thursday following an investigation, during which detectives "uncovered enough evidence" to charge the suspect, police said.

Hester was jailed in the Forsyth County Detention Center under a $500,000 bond.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools spokesman Theo Helm says Hester has been suspended without pay. Helm said Superintendent Don Martin also plans to recommend to the Board of Education that Hester be dismissed.

"These are serious charges, and we will not tolerate this type of behavior," Martin said in a statement.

Helm says Hester was in his first year teaching at Glenn High.

Police say no other victims have been identified in the case.

Officials notified parents of the allegations and the school's response in an email that was sent Wednesday evening and a phone call that went out Thursday morning, Helm added.

No other details were provided.

Police are still investigating and ask that anyone with additional information would call Crimestoppers at (336) 727-2800.